Search found 347 matches

by jake
14 Dec 2016, 11:49pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Touring with A Folding Bike
Replies: 16
Views: 6973

Re: Touring with A Folding Bike

I bought an Airnimal Joey Explore to give me flexibility in getting on/off TGV trains. As I understand it you need to book ahead to get a full size bike on these trains. I found this impossible on a recent 2 week French tour as I had no fixed end point. Getting back was a pain.
Although it's not the fastest to fold up, I find it a lovely bike to ride. It rides like a "normal" bike and I really like the lower centre of gravity when fully loaded. One day I will buy their excellent hard suitcase that converts into a trailer on arrival.
by jake
16 Apr 2016, 8:47pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: 5 BEST DAY RIDES IN IRELAND
Replies: 7
Views: 785

Re: 5 BEST DAY RIDES IN IRELAND

Can I publicise the recently opened "Old Rail Path" from Athlone to Mullingar in the Midlands. It's 40km and is proving very popular. From Mullingar you can join the much improved Royal Canal towpath E towards Dublin or W to the Shannon at Tarmonbarry (near Longford). You could complete a circular route on quiet country roads from Tarmonbarry back to Athlone on the W side of Lough Ree. I'm only a tad biased as I was born in Athlone !!
by jake
10 Oct 2015, 11:06pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Vrienden op de Fiets
Replies: 7
Views: 1879

Re: Vrienden op de Fiets

We've used Vrienden numerous times over the years and have always found them excellent. Booking 4 weeks ahead is usually ok. We've always found the hosts to be very welcoming and helpful. It's much more interesting than staying in a "normal" B&B and the charges are very reasonable. Enjoy.
by jake
25 Jun 2015, 8:38am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Bicycles from Britain to Continent
Replies: 26
Views: 3209

Re: Bicycles from Britain to Continent

The Eurotunnel service can take up to 6 people + bikes per trip. The bikes are safely strapped into the trailer using (adapted) Thule roof rack mountings.
We travelled with 4 older ladies who were using trains to get to the West coast of France for a 2 week cycling holiday.
by jake
24 Jun 2015, 11:17pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Bicycles from Britain to Continent
Replies: 26
Views: 3209

Re: Bicycles from Britain to Continent

Some friends and I recently used the Eurotunnel Bike Service for the 2nd time and would highly recommend it. It is the fastest and cheapest way to get to France with a bike (£18 each way). Pick up (by minibus + trailer) is in Folkestone for an 8am or 3.30pm departure. Travel time is about 75-90 minutes and you are dropped off by the Cite de Europe shopping centre near Coquelles. The driver may even drop you at Calais Ville or Frethun (if you ask him nicely) but this is "off the record".
The amazing thing about the service is....if you have to postpone your trip for any reason then as long as you give them a little notice...your ticket is valid for a whole year from date of travel. This sounds too good to be true but the van driver confirmed it to us.
by jake
1 Feb 2015, 5:43pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Neo Air Venture sleeping mat
Replies: 7
Views: 1374

Re: Neo Air Venture sleeping mat

This is the new Thermarest self inflating mat: http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/ ... -mat-p3608. It's 50 mm thick and I will be getting one when they bring it out in 3/4 length.
A hiking friend has a Neo Air. He loves the comfort but has never been convinced about it's longer term durability.
by jake
21 Jan 2015, 10:24pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Dublin to Dingle Route
Replies: 6
Views: 1270

Re: Dublin to Dingle Route

Does your starting point have to be Dublin? My concern would not be a large group cycling on quiet country roads but rather getting yourselves out of central Dublin and through the sprawling suburbs. Would somewhere on the SW outskirts (possibly with a rail station) be a better bet.
Lovely idea, by the way
by jake
16 Nov 2014, 7:52pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Bike fit for French canals
Replies: 9
Views: 1753

Re: Bike fit for French canals

I did most of the Burgundy canal in May on my Ti tourer with 32 Marathons. No punctures and comfortable ride.
by jake
2 Nov 2014, 8:05pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Advice on cycling through Lyon
Replies: 5
Views: 1465

Re: Advice on cycling through Lyon

Thanks to all 3 of you for your replies. I will probably try out the Saone cycle route to see if it works. If it gets too complicated I can always revert to Edward Enfield's route ie skirting Lyon to the western side.
by jake
31 Oct 2014, 7:31pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Advice on cycling through Lyon
Replies: 5
Views: 1465

Advice on cycling through Lyon

In May I did just over half of a leisurely Channel to Med trip (time ran out near Cluny). I aim to complete it next year mainly using the Rhone path.
On the Bike Express home I heard some very differing stories about getting through/around Lyon. One guy said to get a train from just north of Lyon to a station just south of it and avoid the place like the plague. Others disagreed but said that the cycle route signage can be challenging at times.
What to do? Any advice (or links) very welcome.
Many thanks.
by jake
26 Aug 2014, 10:08pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Burgundy, Holland or Germany?
Replies: 11
Views: 2165

Re: Burgundy, Holland or Germany?

In May I followed Edward Enfield's book a little over halfway to the Med (made it to Cluny). I would recommend you get a train from Paris as near to Tonerre as possible. The canal path is excellent from there. I followed it to Pont d'Ouche and from there took direct (very hilly) route to Beaune. Next time I will continue along canal towards Dijon.
Some good photos on here:
http://experiencefrancebybike.com/bicyc ... uro-a-day/
by jake
13 Jun 2014, 5:52pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Joey Explore--which rack and shoulder bag
Replies: 0
Views: 4254

Joey Explore--which rack and shoulder bag

I'm just about to order a Joey. Airnimal do a 24" or 26" rack option. I'm not sure which to go for as I vaguely remember reading on here about someone who was having "heel clearance" problems with the smaller size.
Also, are there (1st fold) bag options other than the Airnimal one.
Just discovered that Spa Cycles have some stock of 24" x 1.5" Marathons. Schwalbe only make the 1.75" size now.
Any other advice would be very welcome.
by jake
16 May 2014, 10:03pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: FIRST TIME FRANCE
Replies: 28
Views: 8266

Re: FIRST TIME FRANCE

This humorous book by Edward Enfield (Harry's Dad) is very encouraging to beginners cycling in France : http://www.amazon.co.uk/Downhill-Medite ... way+edward
He and his wife started with some short rides from Le Havre along the Seine.
by jake
22 Jan 2014, 9:51pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: bike friendly hostel/hotel Dieppe
Replies: 6
Views: 22122

Re: bike friendly hostel/hotel Dieppe

The last hotel I stayed at in Dieppe was at the top of a steep climb called Ave Gambretta (I think). To be avoided.
If your ferry gets in mid afternoon then I would suggest the wonderful 2 hour-ish cycle along the Avenue Verte to Neufchatel en Bray. Lovely place and there are a number of guesthouses/small hotels to choose from.